Do you think most nurses can afford to work part time?

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I am wondering about the financial situation of my fellow nurses. Do you think most nurses can afford to work part time?

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I'm curious what would lead you to believe that "nurses" are a group homogenous enough to make such a generalization. And what does it mean to be able to "afford to work part time"? This is an individual decision based on a multitude of factors unique to each individual.

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I'm curious what would lead you to believe that "nurses" are a group homogenous enough to make such a generalization. And what does it mean to be able to "afford to work part time"? This is an individual decision based on a multitude of factors unique to each individual.

I didn't mean to offend. Just wanted to poll.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

No offense taken, but I'm just not sure what you're asking.

"Nurses" ... can you really lump all those people into some kind of socioeconomic group? Who is it that you're referring to?

Nurses include 22-year olds with $50,000+ in student loans, single parents, 50-year olds currently putting children and/or spouses through college, those working in areas of the country where salaries are higher than average but still working every available OT shift in pursuit of extra money toward some personal financial goal, and those who are not in "need" of OT.

Do you see what I'm saying? How can you possibly generalize that "nurses can afford to work part-time" or "nurses can't afford to work part-time"?

How could you generalize that about any profession?

MDs have high salaries, but many carry enormous student loan debt that takes time to pay off.

Salary has little to do with financial position.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I understand what you mean.

I can't imagine in any profession being able to afford to work part time and be the only income. It is possible to be part time if there is another in the househould working.

Anything is possible if you invest correctly and possess a position that pays more than the average nurse but generally speaking I do not think it possible to work part time and have an average spending lifestyle.

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I worked part time at one job because I had another PRN job and an agency job. I made A LOT more money than working my 3 12's at one place.

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

There are many ways to interpret this. Do you mean is it worth it for nurses to work part time? The answer is yes. Nurses make enough for it to be worth their time to work part time or per diem or agency or whatever. A lot of jobs really don't pay enough for have enough flexibility to do them part time and be home with kids more. That is a great thing about nursing.

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Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.

It's hard to say. That's a hard question to answer since it is an individual decision. Different nurses in different parts of the country are paid different salaries. There are also different types of nurses OB/GYN, Geriatric, Community Health..... In our area within a 30 mile radius the nursing salaries vary. A person who works the night shift on weekends in a hospital is going to be paid more than someone working on the day shift in the same hospital.

Then of course the cost of living is different in different parts of the country.

Your question is hard to answer. For every nurse there would be a different answer.

RNs are paid well in most cases....For what nurses do... I don't think we get paid enough.

Perhaps you are thinking of a job where you can work part time?:confused:

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

I work part-time, now.

The reason I switched is because I want a 40 hour work week, not a 45, 50, or 60 hour one.

It seemed that when I worked full-time, I ALWAYS worked more than 40 hours a week. I hated it. I was always tired and I missed out on a lot socially (meaning I missed things because I was always late). Yes, my life outside of work is very, very important to me.

So, I cut back. Now my work weeks are 30-40. I can always pick up extra shifts if I feel I need the money. I am no longer exhausted and I am actually living my life, not just working it.

I still have all of my benefits, too.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I'm a single female with no spouse or boyfriend to assist with paying my monthly expenses, so I could not work part-time for an extended period of time. After all, I am the only person around to financially support me.

This is subject to change. If I win the state lottery, I'd be able to work part-time. If I married a high-income earner, I'd be able to work part-time. Both prospects are unlikely in the very near future, so I have to keep on truckin' to work!

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A person's ability to work part time would depend on many factors. Most people have bills that are commensurate with their level of pay. When their pay goes up, their bills usually do also. The only way to live on less pay for most people would be to cut out a lot of expenses - either necessities or luxuries. Granted, many things that we think of as necessities of life are truly luxuries. It IS possible to live without electricity, but it's a pain in the butt. It IS possible to live without a phone, cell phone, internet, even a car. Our ancestors did not have all the items that we consider necessities now days. It is possible to live without a lot - people who are homeless do it all the time, but that does not mean that they enjoy their life. And not many people enjoy having to decrease their standard of living in order to live on less (or no) money.

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Specializes in LTC, office.

I have worked part time my entire nursing career. My husband earns a good living and we chose not to have children.

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